(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Bahraini protesters took out to the streets in many parts of the Persian Gulf sheikdom on Wednesday, calling on King Hamad bin Isa Al Kahlifa to step down.
The latest protests were held despite ongoing crackdowns by the Saudi-backed regime forces, who have killed scores of peaceful protesters and arrested hundreds of others since the start of the country's popular uprising in February.
The development came as Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa traveled to Washington on Wednesday to hold talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
During the meeting, Clinton urged the Bahraini authorities to follow through on an independent investigation into the crackdown on the protests in Bahrain.
The result of the probe by an independent five-member panel was expected to be released by October 30, but was delayed until November 23.
Washington has come under mounting criticism for providing Bahrain, which serves as the base to US Fifth Fleet, with lethal weapons to be used against anti-regime protesters.
Since mid-February, thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging regular demonstrations in Bahrain, calling for the US-backed Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.
On March 14, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates invaded Bahrain to assist the ruling regime in its brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in the Persian Gulf island.
Human rights activists say many Bahraini doctors and nurses have been detained, tortured, or have disappeared because they had evidence of atrocities committed by the authorities, security forces and riot police in the crackdown on anti-government protesters.
The Bahraini regime has also been handing heavy sentences and long jail terms to the detained activists, some of whom say they were tortured while in custody.
The move has drawn international criticism, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressing “deep concern” over the sentences and calling for the release of all political detainees in Bahrain.
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